Hieromartyr Alexander, Bishop of Adrianopolis, and the Martyrs Heraclius, Anna, Elizabeth, Theodota, and Glyceria

The third century century was a time when Christianity experienced significant growth among those who worshipped idols. Many of these were killed simply because they believed in Christ and refused to worship idols.

Saint Alexander was the Bishop of Adrianopolis, who proclaimed the Gospel with great zeal to crowds of idolaters, and his preaching attracted many pagans to Christ. In spite of the persecution of Christians, Bishop Alexander fearlessly converted and baptized many pagans into the divine Faith. This so infuriated the ruler of that place that he ordered the Saint's arrest and subjected him to torture in order to force him to offer sacrifice to the idols. Saint Alexander endured horrible tortures with exemplary patience because he refused to worship the lifeless idols fashioned by men, preferring to offer himself as a sacrifice to Christ, the true God Who said: "Whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 16:25).

A soldier named Herakleios, after witnessing Bishop Alexander's fortitude, came to believe in Christ. He was tortured before being beheaded.

By the grace of God, Saint Alexander was healed of the wounds he sustained from being tortured. When this miracle was made known, four women, Theodótē, Glykerίa, Anna, and Elizabeth also confessed their faith in Christ before the archon, refuting the delusion of idolatry. Therefore, they were led to the place of execution, where they were put to death by the sword.

After the other martyrs were killed, Saint Alexander was beheaded with a sword, obtaining an unfading crown from Christ.